China Eastern Airlines' Zhejiang branch will open two scheduled direct flights to Japan's Osaka and Shizuoka on March 29 in Ningbo Lishe International Airport.

China Eastern Airlines' Zhejiang branch will open two scheduled direct flights to Japan's Osaka and Shizuoka on March 29. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

These newly-opened international services are the first direct flights from Ningbo to Japan. When the new flight opens, passengers leaving for Japan will no longer have to transfer in Shanghai or Hangzhou. Travelers can purchase their tickets through an online booking system instead of taking part in tourist groups in order to travel to Japan.

According to Ningbo Lishe International Airport, it takes less than three hours to travel from Ningbo to Japan by air. Japan is one of the most popular tourist destinations for Ningbo locals thanks to Japan's departure tax refund scheme and the dropping exchange rate of the yen against yuan.

With the opening of the direct flights and the coming of cherry blossom festival in Japan, the airport is expected to handle a large passenger volume from Ningbo to Japan in March.